But it may require making a further sacrifice by part-paying his wages just to get him out of the door and start the complicated process of offloading him for good.

Brazil-born Costa’s options are narrowing with his favoured and former club Atletico Madrid under transfer embargo until January.

A move to China’s lucrative Super League is also looking more distant as one-time team-mates and Brazilian pals Ramires and Oscar are struggling to adapt to the lifestyle and culture in the Far East despite their huge contracts.